Stearns' Aeolid
Austraeolis stearnsi (Cockerell, 1901)
Description 2
Ground color translucent pinkish-white. An irregular, longitudinal band of brilliant vermilion to scarlet-orange occurs on either side of head, from base of oral tentacles to base of rhinophores (may be lacking in occasional individuals), and a similar band occurs dorso-medially on tail. Cerata in 5-8 rows on slightly elevated ridges, translucent pinkish-maroon, each with a subapical band of scarlet-orange to vermilion below whitish tips which bear maroon flecks; cores dark maroon-brown to pale olivaceous grey. Rhinophores annulate with 10-13 annuli, tips cream-yellow, distal half scarlet-orange, shading to maroon-pink basally. Oral tentacles cream on distal third, scarlet-orange on medial third, and maroon-pink on proximal third. Anterior foot-corners tentaculiform.
Size 2
Up to 30mm in length.
Geographic Range 2
Santa Cruz, CA to Bahía de Banderas, Mexico.
Notes 2
Found in the low, rocky intertidal and subtidal. The only individual I know of from Monterey Bay area was found on a pier piling from the Santa Cruz wharf.
References 2
CHAN, J. M., & T. M. GOSLINER. 2006. A redescription of Facelina stearnsi Cockerell, 1901 (Nudibranchia: Aeolidacea: Facelinidae) with a reassignment of its generic placement. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 69:111-117. PDF
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF MARINE INVERTEBRATE TAXONOMISTS. 2018. A taxonomic listing of benthic macro- and megainvertebrates from infaunal & epibenthic monitoring and research programs in the southern California bight, edition 12, 1 July 2018, xviii + 167 pp. PDF
Synonyms 2
Facelina stearnsi
Additional Info 2
Sources and Credits
- (c) Gary McDonald, all rights reserved, uploaded by Gary McDonald
- (c) Gary McDonald, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Body | aeolidiform |
|---|---|
| Rhinophores | annulate |
| Cerata | unbranched |
